Top 10: Airports

Number 4

St. Barths Airport, St. Barths, French Caribbean

St. Barths is considered the most expensive vacation spot in the Caribbean, which may account for the high ratio of celebrities that choose to retreat there. Even before setting foot on the island's grounds, one is given a sense of entering a private, well-hidden realm during the in-flight approach: the St. Barths airport consists of a single, 2,048-foot runway tucked away into the surrounding mountains, making for a descent so abrupt that highway drivers below are warned of the low overhead caused by incoming planes.

St. Barths airport is not equipped for night landings, and the span of the runway is such that it can only handle small, often dated propeller-powered planes. Yet whatever nerves may get jangled over the course of a flight will be quickly soothed upon disembarkment. One of the island's many beaches lies directly at the end of the runway, and the airport is a quick taxi ride from the downtown area, which boasts some of the world's best gourmet restaurants.

Number 3

Heathrow Airport, London, England

In its inaugural stages in 1946, Heathrow airport consisted of little more than an army tent and a runway. Plans to develop it into a full-fledged RAF base came to a halt when the war ended before the structure could be completed, and the site began being used for civil flights. Today, nearly half a century later, Heathrow stands as the world's busiest airport, witnessing the passage of more than 62 million passengers every year. 60,000 people work at the facility, and it ranks as the globe's second largest cargo port.

The size and pace of Heathrow is often enough to intimidate most visitors into heading for the nearest exit, but this place really does deserve to be lingered over. Named after a hamlet that was destroyed to make way for the airport, Heathrow is a testament to post-war innovation and progress. Its proportions are already staggering, but this complex is only going to get bigger when a fifth terminal opens in 2007.

Number 2

Kansai International Airport, Osaka, Japan

Kansai International Airport is the product of more than seven years of work, and stands today as the second largest airport in Japan. Yet what is truly remarkable about this facility is not its size, but rather its location. Kansai was built on a man-made island in Osaka Bay which, at the time of the complex's official opening in September of 1994, was the largest artificial one ever built.

The architectural magnificence of this structure does not stop at its foundations. The airport's terminal, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, is constructed almost entirely of glass and steel, and is considered one of the greatest architectural specimens of the late 20th century. While Kansai only has one runway, plans for building two more are currently underway.

Number 1

Sukhothai Airport, Sukhothai, Thailand

The ancient city of Sukhothai was once the capital of the first Thai Kingdom, and its ruins date back to the 13th century. Given this deeply historical context, it was a top priority of the architects behind the region's airport to ensure that the structure complemented the surrounding landscape, and most would agree that they did a bang-up job in this regard.

Built in 1996 at the ridiculously low cost of 12 million Thai baht (roughly the equivalent of $285,000 USD), Sukhothai Airport is comprised of a cluster of open-sided pavilions, supported by wood beams and topped by thatched roofs in the traditional Thai architectural style. Local artisans and craftsmen were employed in the complex's construction, lending it a local flair that earned the airport the 1998 Outstanding Architect Award from the Siam Architects Association.

The true charm of this building lies in the minute attention to detail: tropical flowers line the single runway, and fresh fruit is set out in the travelers' bathrooms every day. The flight to Sukhothai is worthwhile just to see this place; the rest of the city's attractions are an added bonus.

Thanks to these airports, you now have 10 more places to add to your "must see" list. I hope you enjoy your stay.